In CNN Money’s article they shared the results of CareerBuilder’s 2015 Annual Mother’s Day Survey where they survey Working Moms (and dads) about if they could have it all. 

They found that nearly 80% of them said yes, they can have it all, but it differs by gender. 

One of the findings I found interesting was that 1 in 10 working moms were updating their resume with their parenting skills. 

This is a fantastic example of integrating your life into your career (although it’s usually the other way around, you want to integrate your career into your life, but I digress).

 

In this post I’ll talk about this trend, where you’d place or how you could talk about your parenting skills and I’ll start sharing a few skills you could include in your resume.

 

Should you follow this trend? 

Your parenting skills are part of your assets.  You use them in and out of the office. 

They have shaped your personality as well as how you treat other people.  These parenting skills may add to strengths that you already have. 

You are being authentic when you give a future employer this glimpse of your personal side. 

It’s a way to present a bigger picture of “You Incorporate”. 

Sharing information in this way is an assertiveness technique called free information.  Looking at the job description what personal information could be attractive to recruiters?

 

Where on your resume would you place these skills?

If you have a skill section that would be a great spot. 

If not use your parenting skills as keywords.  Repeat them throughout the body of your resume. 

When you score an interview prepare a good story about how your parenting skills applied to both your career and home life.

  Everyone loves a good story as it’s a way to connect quicker with someone.

 

What parenting skills do you possess?

The survey gathered a few skill sets but there are many. 

Since the CNN article I’ve been asking working parents on the soccer field, baseball field, basically anyone I meet “What parenting skill would you put on your resume”. 

The reaction was always the same.  “Wow.”  Then silence. 

There are just so many skills that you gain from being a parent.  How do you choose which one to put on your resume or LinkedIn profile?

I have a list of 25 roles we play as parents, management techniques as well as qualities we acquire.

 In this post I’ll share a few roles and share the rest in Part II. 

Here are four parenting skills that may be used in your professional life.

Emotional Intelligence:  As parents we are a big influence on our children’s emotional intelligence.  We are the ones our kids come to with all of their problems.  We help them sort through all the emotions they experience and help them through those tough emotional experiences.

Coach:  Our kids need a sounding board where they are not afraid to be vulnerable.  They come to us to get answers but we know they need to figure things out on their own.  Together the two of you create action plans to reach success.

Conflict management:  Acting as a referee between siblings or friends is a skill that is ever-changing.  Compromise is great but sometimes we teach our children how to hold their ground, stand up for what they believe in, and help them articulate their needs or wants.

Mentor: You have been there done that and your kids reap from your experiences.  How you share these experiences so they are relatable to your child is an important skill.  Depending on their age you need to articulate your experiences into bite size pieces that they will understand and absorb (aka excellent verbal communication).

 

As CEO of your family, what skills would you list on your resume?  Let me know over on my Facebook Fan page!